Thursday, August 23, 2012

It’s been officially two months since this individual named
Roque Caston has moved to living his life in New York City. That person is me.

I first want to say that there is no city like New York
City. Even though it’s been two months, I feel like I married the city in
record breaking time. I went through the emotional love-hate relationships that
the average New Yorker has with this city. I fought through and it just proved
that I’m here to stay in the city.

So because of my love for this city, I like to share three
things I like about New York. This is through the eyes of a New York rookie.

Walking Equals Exploring

You can never get bored of this city. Because of the fact
that it’s a big city, there are so many things you can explore around this city.
I remember getting tired of one particular side of the city and wanted to
explore more. Then once I started walking up a few more blocks and onto a new
Avenue, I found myself being inspired by the city again. So even though you get
tired of one section of the city, there are plenty more explorations you can
do. A friend of mine still surprises me that he knows every single borough of
New York and he’s only twenty-eight years old.

The Diverse Citizens

I’m not afraid to admit that I sometimes spy on people. When
I’m walking down the street and I hear someone having an interesting
conversation on their phone, I get as close as I can to listen. I even look at
the ones sitting down and see how they interact with each other. From lawyers
in their business suits to the casual family having a slice of pizza at the
park, I’m so intrigued at the variety of characters that are living in this
city. It’s like a sitcom episode on every block, no matter if it’s good or bad.

Pizza, Pasta, And Bread

I couldn’t resist talking about this. I love Italian food
and I’m so glad New York City is extreme with those foods too. I love those one
dollar pizza shops that you see on a block every now and then. I love to see
the variety of marinara sauces on display at grocery stories. And finally, I
love The Bread Factory. They sure as hell make some of the best bread I’ve ever
had in my life. This is probably one of the main reasons why I’m staying in New
York City forever.

I can’t express enough how happy I am to be living in the
city of my dreams. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Now that
we’re here, I’m happy to be here. Time to explore more! Go New York City!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Yesterday, I was walking towards Bryant Park to get to the Mid-Manhattan Library in order to get some work done. It was a day full of meetings and bookings. Going to this library was a time when I could finally have some time for myself before I return to my rock 'n' roll world. I love being a fun person, but there are moments when I need some alone time. This party monster right here needs his pizza, sweet tea, and a chair before he gets back out there again.

Three blocks away, my focus was interrupted by a female talking loudly on her phone behind me. I was doing my best to ignore her, but the constant loud outbursts made it hard for me to ignore this female. I got a little nosy and began listening to her phone conversation. I had enough time to waste listening to this female going through her moment on the phone.

Listening carefully to her, I began to realize that she was an aspiring actress who just found out she got the part in an upcoming sitcom. She got so excited she called her best friend, which was the person she was on the phone with at that moment. Her best friend was the first person she wanted to call after she got off the phone with the casting director.

She was expressing to her friend how she got the job and how she was going to continue working on building a relationship with the casting director. That way, it will possibly lead to more work in television at the moment. She wants to do films and theater as well, but she is gearing towards television mostly.

She eventually ended her phone conversation and skipped into Bryant Park to resume her life as an actress on the ride.

As I saw her dance away into the park, I couldn't help but to smile for her. I was so excited that she got news that she was given the chance to do what she wants to do, especially in New York City where you're facing tons of competition in the acting field. That fact alone made me think of how much she had to work for that role in the upcoming sitcom.

Looking at her made me think of myself. I have a smile on my face because I'm finally here. I'm in New York City following my dreams of becoming a successful, critically acclaimed writer, blogger, and journalist. I've thought about this dream for a long time. Now that I'm here and I'm actually doing it at twenty years old. There's no feeling like it.

So I'm happy for that actress because it reminds me of why I'm here and why I'm always smiling. I hope everyone else is smiling for that actress and themselves. If you're living the life you want to live then I know you're smiling.

Friday, August 3, 2012

I had a crap load of errands to do for my client today. Aside from the fact that I was headed to Brooklyn for my anticipated 'staycation', It was haircut day.

About every three weeks or so, I get my hair cut. My hair doesn't grow that fast genetically, which has been a blessing and a curse. When it does finally get long enough to consider long, it can become curly and soft, providing the right product used in it. No chemicals. Been there done that. It's been a long time since I've let my hair grow. Impatient.

I feel empowered after a hair cut because it's usually when I look my best. Once I returned to the apartment, I just crashed on the couch. I had a brief call with my coach and I was out. After about an hour, I woke up to get something to drink and then dosed off again. I awakened at 4am to write.

Recounting the day isn't easy. I am trying to come up with a way to do this in intervals, but I haven't trained my mind to do so just yet. Dear God, help me figure out a more entertaining way to share my world with my readers.

Will this whole thing catch on? I ask myself that each time I sit here and stare at this blank white screen. Will people read my blog and feel that they can get inside my head the way that I now am in theirs?

People have called me 'the manifester' because when I say something is going to happen. It usually does. While in South Africa, in a place called Tokkai, there was this magnificent forest with tall white trees. During a chant, I felt some type of spirit leave my body to be replaced by a new one. From there my life had changed once again. I felt chosen.

Chosen? You ask. Chosen to deliver a message. I'm not saying that I'm a prophet, but my word, my creations, have impacted thousands at some point and will continue.

The prayer goddess in Tokkai Forest said that I would develop clairvoyant tendencies. The whole time I was thinking to myself, well what the f*%K does that mean? I probed and she told me that I would discover them as I expand my experiences in life. She said my word creates my world.

My reality: Right now it's time for me to go back to sleep for 2 hours. I have a long day ahead of me and I have to make an appearance at the Summer Camp event for the Hetrick Martin Institute. Expect photos because they are coming.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

It's been a while since I've blogged about what's going on in my world without editing my thoughts. I would tell myself over and over again that I should blog because once upon a time it was such a great outlet for me.

I made a declaration today to commit to writing on this thing every day for the entire month of August. Even as I type this, I am confronted because I really want to share my world with you with authenticity. Now, I can't promise that everything you read will make sense, remember, I'm doing this as an exercise.

Finding one's truth isn't the easiest thing in the world. I've been blessed to have people in my life who believe in me and empower me to become a better person.

The other day when someone asked me what I was committed to, I didn't have a solid answer because I really didn't know. I know what I need to do to make it through my days and my nights, but what am I committed to?

After a few beats, I finally said... I'm committed to life and success. It's not the most focused commitment but it's mine and I know what it means to me.

One of the things that I am up to is Operation Wendy Williams. As I sat and stared at the image of her opposite my computer tears began to roll down my face. I was crying because there is no way in the world that woman could ever know that she saved my life.

But, I'm ready; ready to tell my truth, ready to share my life in a way that I've never shared before. Vulnerable. Raw. Uncensored.

Rambling will do us no good and since this is just my first day, cut me some slack. Like I said, I have no clue how this whole thing is going to end.

My writing coach is going to kill me because I am supposed to be finishing the edits on the sequel to my first novel, My Turn.

My goal is to get Hollywood Burn out by the one year anniversary of My Turn which is October 7th. I have it in my mind that Wendy and I will be face to face by then. My mission is to acknowledge her face to face for having such an impact on my life. Had it not been for her, I have no way of knowing whether or not I would even be here to tell of my journey.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Calling all Youth workers and Youth organizations. This will be an enlightening

live video chat where will share our ideas in Best Youth Practices.

Whatever module or mold you've used in your practice, will definitely

fuel the conversation. Though I will specifically like to address it from the lens of

art as social change, I am open to feed back from all areas of Youth practices.

Wednesday August 8th, 2012 - 3:15PM EST / 12:15PM PST

Share your stories for the discussion by emailing youthconference@sisgigroup.org Subject - Empowerment through Adversity. You can also tweet your ideas, questions or suggestions at #APYDConEmpower @ideas4youth or @CorneliusJonesJ. All issues on adversity are welcome. This conversation on Google+ is open to all ages.